With the key on, grab the outer shaft and turn it back and forth, if you can feel anything, it will be inches on the steering wheel, i had such a small amount, it was hard to think it would be that much at the wheel.

 

Sorry for sounding obtuse, I appreciate the input but I'm not sure where the upper and lower columns meet. Here is a picture of the steering column in my truck.. Could it be inside that rubber bellows cover?
I actually grabbed the column in the lower part near the SB and moved it there. The play seemed to be even lower in the SB... Perhaps I missed it and it's in the area you mention. Please look at the picture and tell me if the area between the upper and lower columns is shown there.
Thanks

 

it would be under that rubber boot. the upper column is the part in the cab.
the lower column is the part that connects to the steering box. there is a slipjoint between the two with a bushing in it. if the bushing falls out, you will have as much as 1/4 turn play in the steering depending on the year of the truck and condition of the spipjoint.

 

I went out and looked. The bushing between the upper and lower columns appears to be tight and in good shape. Any rotation to the lower column causes a corresponding movement of the steering wheel.

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The play seems to be below the rag joint, It appears to be in good condition and there is no perceptible movement lost in there.

Here are a couple of pictures of the steering column at both ends under the hood.

 

if that is the case, than it seems your play is in the steering box. there is a way to adjust the play in the box, be it is very easy to screw the box up also.
i have never had to adjust the steering box, because i break the sector shaft before i wear the box out, which is usually between 90-115,000 miles. i am on my 4th steering box in my 88, and have replaced at least 2 in each of the other trucks.
over the past 22 years, i have replaced 15 steering boxes, and have a new one sitting on the shelf for when the current one in the 88 goes.

my trucks are worked hard, and i pay the price for it in parts.

 

Yeah, I think the SB will have to be replaced. My truck is kind of a hobby. I just drive it around a little and keep it clean and in as good repair as I can. The new SB will probably last the life of the truck (or my life, whichever comes first LOL)